By GREG HOUDE, sportsnet.ca
| <a class="AFC East | <a class="NFC East |
| <a class="AFC North | <a class="NFC North |
DENVER BRONCOS (8-8 IN 2011)
Trending: Upwards
Head coach: John Fox (2nd season)
Key additions: QB Peyton Manning, S Mike Adams, WR Andre Caldwell, TE Jacob Tamme, TE Joel Dreessen, CB Tracy Porter, S Jim Leonhard
Key subtractions: QB Tim Tebow, S Brian Dawkins, CB Andre Goodman, WR Eddie Royal, DT Brodrick Bunkley
Strengths — Pass rush: The Broncos present one of the more fearsome pass-rush tandems in recent memory with Elvis Dumervil and 2011 Defensive Rookie of the Year, Von Miller. They consistently get pressure on the quarterback, and as a bonus do an adequate job of stopping the run.
Weaknesses — Running game: It’s now acceptable to label Knowshon Moreno a bust; he just can’t stay healthy. Willis McGahee is getting up there in age, and Lance Ball is nothing to write home about. The run game could hinge on rookie Ronnie Hillman, but he’s already been limited by a hamstring injury in camp, an injury that tends to linger.
X Factor — Peyton Manning: Despite making it to the second round of the AFC Playoffs with Tim Tebow under centre, Broncos’ president John Elway exiled him in favour of Manning, who’s coming off multiple neck surgeries. Will he return the same old Peyton will all remember in Indianapolis, or is he just a shell of his former self?
Needs to step up — Mike Adams: A major hole was left at the back end of the Broncos defence when the legendary Dawkins retired in April. Denver has compiled a group of decent safeties, but it will be up to Adams to fill the Dawkins void. The Broncos won’t ask Adams to be the emotional leader of the defence like Dawkins was, but he will be counted on to make some big plays and keep the defence in check.
Schedule analysis: Denver has the second toughest schedule in 2012, with their opponents having a .543 winning percentage in 2011. Before their bye in Week 7, the Broncos must face Pittsburgh, Houston and Oakland at home, and travel to Atlanta, New England and San Diego. If they can emerge from that brutal stretch at .500, Denver would be in a good position to challenge for the division title.
Projected finish: 8-8, third in the AFC West
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (7-9 IN 2011)
Trending: Neutral
Head coach: Romeo Crennel (1st full season)
Key additions: QB Brady Quinn, RB Peyton Hillis, DT Dontari Poe, TE Kevin Boss, CB Stanford Routt
Key subtractions: CB Brandon Carr, RB Jackie Battle, RB Thomas Jones, FB Le’Ron McClain, TE Leonard Pope
Strengths — Running game: Jamaal Charles tore his ACL in Week 3 last season, effectively ending the Chiefs year. He is back healthy this year, and the team signed former Browns cult hero Hillis to spell him. ‘The White Rhino’ is a mamoth of a man who gets short yardage with ease. This tandem should be something to behold in 2012.
Weaknesses — Defensive line: The D-line is packed with potential: three first-round picks in Glenn Dorsey (2008), Tyson Jackson (2009), and Poe (2012). Dorsey and Jackson have had decent careers thus far, but have only been mediocre in eating up blockers in the 3-4 defence. If Poe can come in and be a force, it may turn this Chiefs weakness into a strength in a real hurry.
X Factor — Eric Winston: Right tackle was a real weak spot for the Chiefs in 2011, but they solved that issue by signing Winston away from the Texans. He should help open up running lanes, as well as keep Cassel upright and healthy.
Needs to step up — Matt Cassel: This is now his third year running the Chiefs offence as the undisputed starter. If he falters, newly signed Brady Quinn — who was drafted by coach Crennel in Cleveland — could be given an opportunity.
Schedule analysis: Kansas City has the 11th easiest schedule in 2012, their opponents winning .492 of their games in 2011. The start is not easy for the Chiefs, but I will be crucial. Atlanta, Buffalo, New Orleans and Baltimore provide a stiff test that KC will need to pass to be in the mix.
Projected finish: 9-7, first in the AFC West
OAKLAND RAIDERS (8-8 IN 2011)
Trending: Neutral
Head coach: Dennis Allen (1st season)
Key additions: RB Mike Goodson, LB Phillip Wheeler, CB Ron Bartell, G Mike Brisiel
Key subtractions: QB Jason Campbell, CB Stanford Routt, LB Kamerion Wimbley, RB Michael Bush, TE Kevin Boss, WR Chaz Schilens, G Cooper Carlisle
Strengths — Offensive speed: The Raiders are stacked at wide out and running back with blazing fast talent. Jacoby Ford, Denarius Moore, and Darius Heyward-Bey (who showed signs of improvement in 2011) are burners. Darren McFadden is one of the top five running backs in football when healthy, and Taiwan Jones should contribute more in his second season.
Weaknesses — Tight Ends: After losing Zack Miller and Kevin Boss in consecutive years, the Raiders are now left woefully thin at TE. Brandon Myers — who had all of 16 catches in 2011 — will get to start, and irrespective of how effective he is run blocking, the Raiders are essentially useless at that position.
X Factor — Darren McFadden: The dynamic running back hasn’t played a full 16-game season in his first four years. But when he’s in the lineup and healthy, Run DMC is one of the best running backs in the league. If he’s healthy, the Raiders can never be considered an underdog.
Needs to step up — Rolando McClain: This is the season the 8th overall pick in 2010 needs to put himself on the map. The middle linebacker needs to be the leader of this defence or the unit could be in trouble without an identity.
Schedule analysis: Oakland has the 18th toughest schedule in 2012, their opponents winning .496 per cent of their games in 2011. But even the games on Oakland’s schedule against teams with losing records last year provide a tough task for a team who didn’t inject any young talent in the draft until the 95th pick.
Projected finish: 5-11, last in the AFC West
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (8-8 IN 2011)
Trending: Neutral
Head coach: Norv Turner (6th season)
Key additions: RB Jackie Battle, RB Ronnie Brown, FB Le’Ron McClain, LB Melvin Ingram, WR Eddie Royal, WR Robert Meachem, OLB Jarret Johnson, SS Atari Bigby, OL Rex Hadnot
Key subtractions: RB Mike Tolbert, WR Vincent Jackson, G Kris Dielman, T Marcus McNeill, S Steve Gregory, LB Travis Laboy
Strengths — Quarterback: Everyone on the Chargers had an inconsistent 2011, not just Philip Rivers. Management is giving the combo of Rivers and coach Turner one more chance to make a playoff run in 2012. That pressure will likely bring out the best in the ultra-competitive Rivers.
Weaknesses — Offensive Line: The Chargers lost two key lineman in 2011, and didn’t do much to replace them. They will find out quickly that Hadnot can’t be hidden in a mediocre line. Their best chance at keeping Rivers upright is if some late round picks develop quickly.
X Factor — Antonio Gates: One reason we are banking on Rivers to bounce back in 2012 is the health of Gates. Reports say this is the healthiest he has been in years, and that bodes well for an offence that lacks a true playmaker on the perimeter.
Needs to step up — Melvin Ingram: San Diego has fielded a respectable defence in the past few years, but have always come up short. A lot of their deficiencies could trace back to the demise of Shawne Merriman, who was a pass rushing force. Ingram, their first round pick, can line up anywhere in the front seven and will need to make an immediate impact to make this defence relevant.
Schedule analysis: San Diego has the 10th hardest schedule in 2012, with their opponents averaging a .504 winning percentage in 2011. The tough games are spread out pretty evenly across the schedule, leading to yet another inconsistent season in San Diego and the departure of Turner at year’s end.
Projected finish: 8-8, second in the AFC West
